Systems and methods for automated voxelation of regions of interest for magnetic resonance spectroscopy

摘要

A system and method for automating an appropriate voxel prescription in a uniquely definable region of interest (ROI) in a tissue of a patient is provided, such as for purpose of conducting magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the ROI. The dimensions and coordinates of a single three dimensional rectilinear volume (voxel) within a single region of interest (ROI) are automatically identified. This is done, in some embodiments by: (1) applying statistically identified ROI search areas within a field of view (FOV); (2) image processing an MRI image to smooth the background and enhance a particular structure useful to define the ROI; (3) identifying a population of pixels that define the particular structure; (4) performing a statistical analysis of the pixel population to fit a 2D model such as an ellipsoid to the population and subsequently fit a rectilinear shape within the model; (5) repetiting elements (1) through (4) using multiple images that encompass the 3D ROI to create a 3D rectilinear shape; (6) a repetition of elements (1) through (5) for multiple ROIs with a common FOV. A manual interface may also be provided, allowing for override to replace by manual prescription, assistance to identify structures (e.g. clicking on disc levels), or modifying the automated voxel (e.g. modify location, shape, or one or more dimensions).

主权项

1. One or more non-transitory computer readable media comprising computer instructions configured to cause one or more computer processors to perform actions comprising:
accessing a plurality of electronic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of an area that includes a region of interest in an intervertebral disc of a spine; for each of the plurality of electronic MRI images:
processing the electronic MRI image to emphasize pixels associated with two opposite borders between the intervertebral disc and two superiorly and inferiorly adjacent vertebral bodies, respectively;identifying a population of pixels in the electronic MRI image associated with the borders; andfitting a two dimensional rectilinear shape inside a cross-section of the region of interest in the intervertebral disc and between the borders shown by the electronic MRI image based on the population of pixels; and generating world coordinates that define a three dimensional selected volume comprising a voxel that fits inside of the region of interest in the intervertebral disc and excludes the two superiorly and inferiorly adjacent vertebral bodies associated with the borders based on one or more of the two dimensional rectilinear shapes; wherein the one or more non-transitory computer readable media are configured to be used with a magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) system in communication with the one or more computer processors, and the MRS system is configured to provide an MRS spectrum of chemical constituents within the voxel.